This morning, while sourcing rugs on Gan's website, I discovered the most beautiful event showroom. Gan's installation from Casa Decor 2014 completely took my break away. I'm amazed by the impact of the painted walls — they're simple and dramatic, at the same time. The showroom, located inside the old Architecture college of Madrid Calle del Barquillo 12, wildly inspires me. I only wish I could have seen this in person!
image via Gan
Early on Sunday morning, my boyfriend and I stopped by The Mill for a relaxing cup of coffee. We had a little extra time to hang out, so we each brought some reading material. For me, preferred "reading material" is usually the latest home furnishings catalogs or a selection from my crop of design magazines. The new Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. catalog had arrived on Saturday, so I pulled it out to browse for inspiration on current projects. I was casually flipping through when — about halfway through — the pages caught Sean's attention. He asked to have a look, and was immediately engrossed in the amazing photography. Within minutes he had looked across the table and asked: "Can our home look like this someday?" It's not difficult to see that Schoolhouse is doing some pretty great things, lately. I'm crazy about their new light fixture collection, especially. Besides the incredible products, their catalog styling is just about perfect — you could actually take interior design cues from it.
all images via Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
Good Morning! Today, I'm wildly excited to share one of my latest projects. A couple of weeks ago, I attended Everlane's Open Studio with a few friends. While having coffee afterwards, I met Ryan Hall, one of Piperlime's talented Graphic Designers. Through this relationship, I was given the opportunity to design Piperlime's San Francisco Popup. I worked with my design firm, Gensler, to get the job done quickly. The experience was an absolute dream. Despite the short time-frame and unusual programmatic challenges, things worked out beautifully in the end.
The concept for the popup was inspired by the quintessential Manhattan apartment of Piperlime's "It" girl. It is sophisticated, elegant, and whimsical. The most unique aspect of this project was that I managed to secure all furniture on loan. Because of the short lifespan of the popup (2 days), it didn't make sense for Piperlime to buy thousands of dollars worth of furniture. I had less than a week to source and secure all furniture, while simultaneously coordinating a cohesive design. I couldn't be more pleased with the final design and installation. My amazing furniture and accessory vendors (see links below!) really stepped up and helped this project become a reality! I couldn't have done it without our incredible partners. This was one of the most rapid, down-and-dirty efforts I've ever worked towards, but it was also the most rewarding. Without further a due...
Photography: Ryan Fetters
Finally, a massive "Thank-You" to our design partners partners:
Restoration Hardware (sofa) Council + Jak-w (silver wood end table and coffee table) Blu Dot (all console and side tables) Fritz Hansen (lounge chair) Lulu & Georgia (accent pillows)
On certain days, I look down at my desk and see a clear & consistent theme. Today, it seems that I'm especially drawn to my samples of copper and assorted fur. Somehow, they've just ended up scattered around my desk at an arm's reach. Do you have any absolute favorite finishes or materials? When it comes to clothing, what is your favorite? When you think about the perfect accent pillow for movie-watching on the sofa, which fabric comes to mind?
If you want to take this look home with you, check out these incredible copper & fur home goods:
1. Rocking Chair 2. Tibetan Fur Bench 3. Copper Shelf 4. Copper Pipe Chair + Ottoman - HURRY! 5. Mini Copper Planters 6. Mongolian Fur Pillows
Have a great Labor Day Weekend!
This past weekend, my friends took me to the most incredible restaurant for brunch in LA. The Church Key's atmosphere is truly breathtaking - from the menu to the Interior Design. I ate a spectacular plate of Eggs Benedict with Truffle Hollandaise sauce and nibbled on hot potato cakes and biscuits and gravy. All the while, though, I could hardly focus on my plate because I couldn't stop examining the details of the space. There were countless moments of delight incorporated into the design. After brunch, I immediately searched for the Designer responsible for this gorgeous interior (this is how I discover all of my favorite designers). I learned that Carrie Livingston, a designer operating in Beverley Hills & London, was the the force that made it all happen. If you live in LA or ever have the opportunity, I certainly encourage you to stop by The Church Key. My friends tell me that their dinner rivals their brunch! I'll have to wait and find out. Until next time, LA.
Don't forget to check out Carrie Livingston's other projects, and more photos of The Church Key here.
Guys, I'm thrilled to tell you about Stone Textile Studio. I'm using their accent pillows on two current design projects, and I absolutely love the monochromatic aesthetic of their products. Black, white, and gray...and a whole lot of it. What else do you need? The layered & draped details are contemporary and creative, yet timeless. I had a hard time picking my favorite pillow designs. The Tuxedo for the classy babes, The Dip for the laid-back lady, and The Square Layers for the edgy foxes. Head to their website and check out the entire collection - it's something else!
Side note: I spoke with one of the ladies of Stone Textile Studio on the phone last week. We chatted about my project and they seem like quite the lovely & down-to-Earth bunch over there. Keep it up! I love your work.
Today, as I search the Internet for ornate rugs for a current project, I am inspired by Antje Taiga's Berlin apartment. The bedroom - I can't even get over it. Check out the other photos on "Friends of Friends" (Freunde von Freunden). Happy Monday!
Typically, one of the first things that I notice when I step into someone's home is the lack of plant-life. People wonder why their space feels dim and lifeless - it's because there's nothing living there! If you're trying to keep a plant alive and thriving, you'll naturally start opening blinds and allowing light to penetrate the room. It's incredible how a single plant, housed within a gorgeous planter, possesses the power to transform an atmosphere.
Recently, I missed these gorgeous terrariums on a Dot & Bo flash sale. Devastating. However, I was able to find the same items on the maker's website. Even better! I also discovered that Score + Solder makes a range of products from planters to lighting to delightful little table objects. I definitely recommend checking out this website. If your home is lacking plant-life, you can cover a multitude of sins by buying a stunning gem-shaped terrarium and filling the glass with life. I guarantee that it will inspire awe when guests visit!
My very favorite is the Quartz No. 2 terrarium. Go get yours!
Last night, I got to spend the evening atop Mount Tam with old & new friends. We watched the sunset above the fog and were each overwhelmed by the beauty of the sight. I couldn't get over the way the light from the burning sun interacted with the thick bed of fog. It was incredible - and pretty difficult to capture on camera. Though it's impossible to capture the beauty of creation with human hands, I was inspired to think of ways I can capture the essence of a sunset in interior spaces. Using my photos from last night as inspiration, I curated a small collection of products that mimic the color & texture of the sunset that we saw. Enjoy, and go catch a sunset of your own! I've got a ton of Bay Area spots that offer the perfect vantage to watch it, if you need a recommendation!
1. Surya Abstract Pillow 2. Jonas Wagell Cloud Pendant 3. Ercol Love Seat in Graded Mandarin 4. Woven Laine Hand-woven Wall Hanging 5. How Are You Cushion Cover 6. Calico Aurora Wallcovering Collection 7. (again) Eric Trine Ombre Rod+Weave Chair
Over the last month or so, I've reflected a lot on the furniture trends that I uncovered during design week in New York. This spring & summer, I've noticed a lot of leather furniture. This doesn't seem like anything new, right? The interesting thing about the furniture isn't the leather itself, though, it's the application of the leather. This year, it's being used in strips and straps. I love the light and airy qualities of the chairs & stools that I've sourced below. They are contemporary, yet timeless, with a touch of edginess. Sometimes, a fully upholstered leather chair feels heavy and unsuitable for the space. You're going to love these sophisticated alternatives!
1. Phloem Studio / Nadine Lounge 2. Eric Trine / Rod + Weave Chair 3. Miles & May / May Lounge Chair 4. Michael Robbins / Ranger Stool 5. Casa Midy / Punta Maroma Stool 6. Stephen Kenn / Inheritance Collection Armchair
Every so often, I like to dig into the depths of my Evernote files and click through my list of favorite interior photographers. Once again, I caught myself spending extra time on Jonas Ingerstedt's site. His interior photography is absolutely incredible - and I've definitely mentioned him before. This particular space caught my eye because, honestly, the designer has used all of my favorite chairs. In one apartment! It's almost too much. I've been on a bit of a Herman Miller kick lately - and dream of Eames chairs on daily basis. During DWR's recent Herman Miller sale, the daydreams actually got a little uncontrollable. The colorful molded plastic side and arm chairs are the essence of perfection, and the Eames lounge chair is simply better than perfect. Aside from the incredible furniture, I also love the overall styling of this space. I'll take that pink skateboard, please!
Since returning from NYCxDesign, I've been a little bit high on inspiration. I discovered so many incredible furniture makers that I hope to work with on future projects. Hinterland Design, out of Vancouver, was one of my very favorite vendors showing at ICFF. Their products stood out as unique, fresh, & innovative. My favorite piece of furniture, not represented on Hinterland's website, is a stool with a seat constructed of bright & colorful crab netting. Because the furniture is made in a town with a prominent crab fishing community, Hinterland sought out to repurpose excess netting. I love that! The stool was surprisingly strong - several guests sat and even bounced on the comfortable seat. I also love the vibrant pops of color represented in the "Little Gem" side tables and "Good Side" coffee table. Life is far too short to live without furniture this fun & inspiring.
It's time for a project share! I'm really stoked to reveal this one. I recently designed this bedroom for a friend in San Francisco - and I honestly wish it were mine. My friend is free-spirited, adventurous, and a little old-fashioned. She loves warm colors, rustic wood finishes, and vintage furniture. This was one of my favorite projects to complete in my free time. It was so much fun to work with a close friend, and help her achieve exactly what she was looking for in her San Francisco home! Enjoy!
Selections: 1. the Adler Table / crafted in San Francisco by Ohio Design 2. vintage suitcase nightstand / Etsy & Craigslist / image via Lonny 3. the Gustavian Bed / Viva Terra 4. the Otto Tibetan Fur Bench / MGBW 5. the Copper Real Good Chair / Blu Dot 6. the Cole Stool / Made Goods 7. the Sophia Garment Rack / Crash Industrial 8. the Nourmak Encore rug collection / Nourison 9. a refinished vintage dresser / image via Natty by Design
It's unreal that I'm back in San Francisco. Design Week passed far too quickly, and I wish that it could last a couple more weeks. These are some snaps from the second half of the week. My favorite secondary events were the Herman Miller and Alexander Girard exhibitions in the Meatpacking District. I could have gazed at the Girard panels and textiles for hours. I also enjoyed some quiet time exploring the Metropolitan Museum. I was thrilled to see a large Chuck Close piece in the Modern Art Wing. I also got to check out the Sketchbook Project Library in Brooklyn. My friend Greg showed me the sketchbook of one of his really talented friends, Greg Kletsel. I was completely lost in the pages, and I can't wait until the mobile library comes to San Francisco! Finally, I loved all of the copper products at ICFF. There were so many, and each was beautiful and unique. I'm thrilled that Bend has introduced this copper version of the Lucy chair. It's more fresh and modern than the typical powdercoat options.
During my third day at ICFF, I was drawn to a few unique products. I love the approachable & fun colors used by O&G, Blue Dot, and Bend Goods. I am thrilled to see that Blu Dot and Bend have both released new colors in two of my favorite chairs! I also love the tribal graphics on Sauder's gorgeous coffee table and the wonderful craftsmanship represented in Workstead's lighting. I think today might be my favorite feature, yet!
Bend Goods
Blu Dot
O&G
Sauder
Workstead
ICFF Day 2 was a complete success. I left the show with more inspiration and excitement over everything that I saw! I was particularly drawn to the delicacy of the glass in the light fixtures below, and the interesting materials used on the stools. I love the woven & knotted seat of the Hinterland stool - it was easily one of my favorite pieces in the entire show. This stool is made in Canada, where there is a robust crab fishing industry. The netting on the stool is repurposed from crab fishing nets. So unique! I also love Emeco's new collection. The SU stool, with a cement seat, is my favorite new product. I'm also crazy about the Drop chair. I am thrilled that Fritz Hansen has re-released this classic. I hope you're enjoying the ICFF snippets, and would love to hear favorites. I'll be back tomorrow with more!
Fritz Hansen
Alex Allen
Emeco
I thought I'd drop in and share a few quick iPhone snaps from the week. I've checked out so many beautifully designed spaces and enjoyed a lot of experiences that are quite unique to New York! On Thursday, I explored the retail scene in SoHo. The Carhartt store, on Crosby, completely stole the cake. I love the bright neon sign and minimal display fixtures. I also got to view the skyline, at sunset, from the top of the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. It was breathtaking! I also really enjoyed exploring Brooklyn and the Flatiron District. I grabbed coffee with a friend at the Nomad Hotel Library Bar. It was nice to take a morning to sit quietly and relax. Lastly, check out my cute little hotel room! I'm staying at The Row, in Hell's Kitchen. I love the bright graphics and clean finish palette. Stay tuned for more updates from ICFF later today!
I share a lot throughout the day on Instagram. You can follow me here!
It's here! ICFF 2014 has officially begun. I can describe ICFF pretty easily in two words: "Inspiration Overload." I mean, it's unreal! There are hundreds of exhibitor booths (over 600!) - and each one as intriguing as the last. Because there is far too much to see in one day, I've decided to share bits and pieces over a Daily Take 5. Each day, I'll share some of the best things I saw. Today was easy! These products completely wow'ed me. I hope you're as inspired as I am, and be sure to check back for more.
NLXL x Studio Job
new colors from Artek
Delightful
Iacoli & McAllister
Philip Watts
As I gear up and prepare for Design Week in New York City (NYCxDESIGN), I'm overwhelmed with excitement for all that's in store! I've got my brand new Madewell tote on my shoulder and my camera in-hand - I'm ready to soak everything up and share it with you. There are so many industry events, showroom visits, and opening receptions to consider and plan for - it's going to be a busy & exhilarating 4 days. Over the last couple of weeks, I've also had the best time perusing the ICFF & WantedDesign websites to admire the curated list of exhibitors. Several vendor profiles have really caught my attention, and I can't wait to see all of the new, innovative, and fresh products for 2014. If you aren't attending the shows, I encourage you to follow along with Grace-Made, DesignMilk, designboom, and other participating design blogs for real-time updates on this week's happenings. I'll kick things off with the Blogger's First Look @ WantedDesign on Friday afternoon, and continue to post throughout the weekend.
Follow along on Instagram & Twitter!
NODO | Workstead | Grow House Grow | Space 1A | Ronel Jordaan | Famaliving | Moving Mountains
So, I've referenced the Ace brand multiple times - it's easily my favorite collection of hotels. I recently featured the brand-new Downtown Los Angeles location - and finally had the opportunity to visit last weekend. I traveled to LA to visit my best friend, and our brunch at the Ace was definitely a highlight of the entire trip. It's breathtaking - and even more beautiful in person.The brass table tops, artisan tile, and rooftop pillow collection were stunning. I audibly gasped when we got off the elevator at the rooftop lounge, where we were immediately greeted by hundreds of Kilim pillows (read about my obsession here). I could have reclined on that bohemian-inspired rooftop for days on end. Coincidentally, while sourcing furniture for one of my projects earlier this week, I actually stumbled across a cafe chair that looks remarkably like the ones used in the Ace Hotel's restaurant. I specifically remember them because I commented on the gorgeous woven pattern of the black-and-white seat back. I love the elegance that is executed throughout the hotel - despite the amount of pattern and texture present in the design. If you ever get the chance - STOP BY! - and enjoy my snapshots below.
